CHARGERS: Matchups vs. Carolina

Much like facing Chicago in last season's opener, the Chargersbegin the campaign against a sturdy defensive team. RB LaDainian
Tomlinson makes his 2008 debut and will be aiming to triple orquadruple the 25 yards he was held to in last year's initialcontest. Success running the ball might depend on how well C JeremyNewberry and LT L.J. Shelton do in their first starts as Chargers.Newberry is replacing line foundation Nick Hardwick (foot), andShelton is in for injured two-time Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill(neck). Shelton also will be asked to corral DE Julius Peppers, theCarolina star with 56 sacks over his previous six NFL seasons. QBPhilip Rivers strives to build on his strong second half of lastseason, during which he drastically reduced his costly mistakes. TEAntonio Gates (toe) isn't at full strength, but WRs Chris Chambersand Vincent Jackson enjoyed success while Gates was hobbled in lastyear's playoffs. Panthers CBs Chris Gamble (17 interceptions infour seasons) and Ken Lucas (22 career picks) will look to slowthem down. Expect to see MLB Jon Beason near the ball a lot. ThePanthers' first-round pick in 2007 accumulated a club record 160tackles last season. SS Chris Harris led the NFL with eight forcedfumbles last season.

Chargers on defense

(Edge -- Chargers)

The Chargers will closely monitor Shawne Merriman's injured leftknee. The player with more sacks (39 1/2) than anyone in the NFLthe last three years can't play every down, so second-year playerJyles Tucker will see a lot of action. The big question involvingMerriman is can he be his usual-destructive self with two torn kneeligaments. Also worrisome is that ILB Stephen Cooper (team-leading179 tackles last season) is suspended for the season's first fourgames. That bumps offseason acquisition Derek Smith into thestarting lineup. The Chargers had trouble stopping the run andtackling consistently in the preseason, and the hope is that DTJamal Williams, bothered by two sore knees, will help diminish theissue. The Panthers' ball-control offense employs two running backs-- DeAngelo Williams and first-round pick Jonathan Stewart. QB JakeDelhomme says he's throwing better than at any point in the lastfive years after undergoing major elbow surgery last fall. Delhommewon't have top target Steve Smith (team suspension for punchingLucas), so veteran Muhsin Muhammad will try to find space tooperate in a Chargers secondary led by CBs Antonio Cromartie andQuentin Jammer. FS Eric Weddle makes his first career start.

Special teams

(Edge -- Chargers)

Mark Jones had a nice preseason returning kicks for theChargers, averaging 24.7 on kickoff returns and 13.0 on puntreturns. Now the Chargers will see him on the other side of things,as Carolina signed him after his release. Darren Sproles, whoaveraged 27.2 yards on kickoff returns and 9.5 on punt returns lastseason, is back as the Chargers' returner. P Mike Scifres(46.1-yard average in 2007) begins his run at a Pro Bowl berth;Carolina counters with Jason Baker (44.2-yard average last season).K Nate Kaeding was 24-of-27 on field goals last season, whileCarolina's John Kasay was 24-of-28.

What to expect

(Edge -- Chargers)

The most anticipated Chargers season since Don Coryell coachedthe team begins amid high expectations. But as Rivers says often,the team can't get to the Super Bowl in Week 1. It certainly helpsto play Carolina at a time when its top offensive weapon (Smith)isn't available. It also doesn't hurt to open at home, where theChargers are 15-1 over the past two regular seasons. Count on thefrenzied atmosphere to spur the Chargers to a fast start in thecontest against a well-coached, hard-nosed team. Look for theChargers to spoil the return of Carolina coach John Fox, a CastlePark High and San Diego State alumnus who is making his first visitto Qualcomm Stadium as an NFL head coach.

Pick: Chargers 23, Panthers 13

-- Mike Sullivan

Another view

Darin Gantt,

Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald

Chargers 20, Panthers 16

Panthers are fantastic as road underdogs, but the talent
difference here is too great.